Police authorities in Lagos State have declared a total restriction of movement across the state on Saturday, July 12, in connection with the upcoming local government elections.
The Lagos State Police Command, in a statement released on Wednesday, said the restriction will begin early on election day.
According to the command, there will be a “total restriction of vehicular movement throughout Lagos State” from 3:00 am to 3:00 pm on Saturday, July 12, 2025.
“The restriction of vehicular movement will apply to all roads and waterways within Lagos State jurisdiction,” the statement added.
Despite the restrictions, certain categories of individuals will be exempt.
“Essential services such as those on medical emergency, and other emergency responders and their workers, the duly accredited officials of the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC), and accredited election observers and media practitioners on election coverage accredited by the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC),” the police clarified.
Additionally, the police emphasized that:
“All the security agencies personnel and other stakeholders, including the media and election observers accredited by LASEIC for the election, will be in possession of and wear their identification tags certified by LASEIC throughout the election.”
The Command confirmed that security arrangements had been finalized to ensure the safety and peaceful conduct of the elections across all 20 Local Government Areas (LGAs) and 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs).
“The Lagos State Police Command wishes to inform the general public in Lagos State, that an elaborate security arrangement and comprehensive security measures have been put in place to ensure security, safety, peaceful and orderly conduct of the Local Government Elections scheduled for Saturday, July 12, 2025 in the 20 LGAs and 37 LCDAs.”
The statement added that the decision was made in conjunction with other agencies:
“To this end, the Lagos State Police Command in full agreement with the other security and safety agencies complimenting the Police under the Interagency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) in Lagos State and other critical stakeholders in the election… hereby wishes to announce and inform the general public in Lagos State of total restriction of vehicular movement throughout Lagos State from 3 am on Saturday, 12th July, 2025 till 3 pm of same Saturday, 12th July, 2025.”
The Command outlined further enforcement provisions in line with the Electoral Act, including:
(i) Prohibition of armed escorts and security aides at polling units and collation centres:
“Police escorts and Armed Security aides are strictly prohibited from accompanying their principals to polling units or collation centers. This measure is to prevent any undue influence or intimidation during the election.”
(ii) Ban on the indiscriminate use of sirens and covered number plates:
“The use of sirens at or in the vicinity of polling units and collation centers is prohibited. Furthermore, only vehicles designated for essential services such as ambulances…”
The Command urged the public to comply fully with the measures to support a free, fair, and peaceful election process across Lagos State.
